Negative bhCG : positive ectopic pregnancy

Highlights potential difficulties involved in diagnosing ectopic pregnancy (EP) and illustrates the importance of a thorough history and clinical examination augmented by investigative findings. Presents the case history of a 21-year-old woman who presented with a 4-hour history of sudden onset, severe, constant, generalised abdominal pain radiating to back and shoulder. Describes laparotomy and right salpingectomy which revealed a ruptured tubal pregnancy in the mid-right fallopian tube. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.